Introduction

Where power has to be transmitted between two shafts which are at a distance apart, a belt or
rope drive is frequently used. In most cases the power transmitted relies upon the friction
between the rope or belt and the rim of the pulley. However in the case of toothed belts and
chains, friction does not play a beneficial part, no slip is allowable and a precise relationship
between the movement of the pulleys is obtained. Examples of this sort of drive are the cam belt
used on many modern engines and the simple bicycle chain.

Rope drives, as such, are not now much used, but the principle is alive and well in shipping
where capstans and windlasses are used to tighten ropes and chains.

Flat belts were used extensively in both agriculture to connect both steam and early tractor to
static machinery and also in early factories where all the machinery in a building was powered
by one engine driving a series of shafts, pulley wheels and belts. These belts could be long
enough to transmit power from one floor of a building to the one above. A selection of
arrangements of belt drives is shown in the diagram below.

Today the majority of belts in use are "Vee" often used in sets of three,side by side. A modern
development seen on some cars, is a flat belt with a series of mini "Vees" on the inner surface.

Flat Pulley Drives

Although described as "Flat" many pulleys used with flat belts are actually slightly curved so
that the diameter at the middle is slightly larger than that at the ends. This helps to keep the belt

on the pulley.
It is also normal on long belts to twist them as shown in the diagram. This can be seen in the
above diagram and increases the angle of contact between the belt and the pulley. Another
technique to increase the angle is the use of idlers which are small pulley wheels which help to
control slack in the belt.
(a) At Low Speed

The maximum torque that can be transmitted between the belt and the pulley occurs when
limiting friction is developed around the arc of contact.

The forces acting on a short length of the belt which subtends an angle of
of the pulley, are shown on the above diagram.
Resolving Tangentially

(1)
Thus in the limit
(2)
Resolving Radially
Drawing of pulley showing tensions and radial T

(3)

(4)
Adding

(5)

(6)
Hence in the limit

at the centre

(7)
Combining equations (2) and (7) and eliminating R

(8)
This equation can now be integrated over the whole arc .

(9)

(10)
This is the maximum possible ratio of tensions between the "tight" and "slack" sides of
the belt and consequently for a drive between pulleys of unequal diameter, the smaller
angle of lap should be used.
It should be noted that in some applications such as Capstans and Windlasses the rope is
passed completely round the pulley, sometimes more than once.
(b) Allowance For Centrifugal Force

The analysis above assumes, in effect, that the belt and pulley is at rest. In practice this is
not often the case and the belt is subjected to a centrifugal force as if passes round the
pulley.

If w is the weight of a unit length of belt and v is the linear belt speed, the the force on an
element

(11)
This force has to be balanced by a tension
obtained by resolving radially.

in the belt. The value of this tension is

(12)

(13)

(14)
The Total Tensions on the two sides are then (15)
where
are the tensions transmitting the power and are calculated from
equation (7)
Equation (7) can now be written as -

(16)

Grooved Pulley Drives

Although rope can be used for such drives, the vast majority rely on V-belts In many
applications the pulley has more than one groove and there are obviously an appropriate number
of belts

Assuming that the included angle of the groove is

, the Normal Reaction R is given by :-

(17)

(18)

(19)
The analysis now becomes similar to a flat pulley where
friction.

is the equivalent coefficient of

The Power Transmitted

Two sets of equations are given below to cater for both measurement systems
(a) Imperial

(20)
Using equation (10) this can be rewritten to give the maximum power transmitted i e.
(21)
And using equation (15)

(22)
(b) S.i.units

(23)
Combining with equation (10)

(24)
And using equation (15)

(25)
For a limiting value of
It can be shown that the above equations for the power transmitted
have a maximum value when -

(26)
It is usual to assume that the mean tension
is constant at all speeds and is therefore
equal to the initial tension . If
is neglected it then follows from equation (10) that:

(27)
And hence the power transmitted at a given speed is proportional to the initial tension.

Band Brakes
The principles of Band Brakes are similar to those of the preceding paragraphs, giving, in this
case the braking torque which can be applied to a rotating drum.

Shoe Brakes
There has been a slow but steady movement away from the use of Shoe and drum brakes by the
automotive industry. The method of tackling problems associated with this type of brake can be
seen in Example (15)

Worked Examples
To see the workings associated with the following questions, "Click" on the button.

Example 1

A number of trucks are to be hauled by a rope passed round a hydraulic capstan;

assuming a coefficient of friction of 0.25 between the rope and the capstan and a constant
manual pull of 30 lb., derive an expression for the maximum pull on the trucks in terms
of complete turns of rope round the capstan. What will be the horse-power exerted by the
capstan under these conditions when there are
at 100 ft/min.? (U.L.)
Click to view solution

turns of rope and it is being wound off

Example 2

A flexible elastic band passes over a pulley 20 in. in diameter which is supported in fixed
horizontal bearings

The end A is anchored to the ground and the end B is held by a turnbuckle whose lower
end is also anchored to the ground at C..
The turnbuckle, which has right-and left-hand square-threaded screws of

external

diameter and
pitch is used to tighten the band on the pulley until the couple on the
turnbuckle is 100 lb.in.,the tension on the band being then assumed to be uniform.
The pulley is now rotated clockwise against the frictional resistance of the band.
Assuming that the total length of the band now remains unchanged, find the couple
required to produce this rotation.
The coefficient of friction between the screws and nuts = 0.15 and between the band and
the pulley = 0.25. Neglect friction at the bearings and any extension between B and C
(U.L.)
Click to view solution

Example 3

In the torque amplifier shown in the diagram, the input and output shafts rotate at the
same speed and in the same direction. They are connected by a flexible band, attached to
radius arms, which make 1.25 turns around a coaxial drum. The drum is driven at high
speed by an electric motor. If the coefficient of friction between the drum and the band is
0.21, find the torque required at the input shaft to overcome a torque of 1.5 lb.ft. at the
output shaft. If the drum speed is 5 r.p.s. and the shaft speeds are 2 r.p.s. find for the
above conditions, the energy lost in drum friction expressed in ft.lb./sec.

Click to view solution

Example 4

An elastic belt makes contact with a pair of flat pulleys over arcs of
, the coefficient
of friction being 0.45. The initial tension is 90 lb. and it may be assumed that the sum of
the tensions on the two sides remains constant. Find the difference in the tensions at
which the belt slips on the pulleys.
If the belt is 1 inch wide and thick and the elastic modulus for the material is 35,000
lb./sq.in.estimate the effect on the maximum tension difference which w2ould be caused
if the pulley centre moved together by in., if they were initially 3 ft. apart.
Click to view solution
Example 5

An open belt connects two flat pulleys. The smaller pulley is 1 ft. in diameter and runs at
200 r.p.m. The angle of lap on this pulley is
and the coefficient of friction between

belt and pulley face is 0.25. The belt is on the point of slipping when h.p. is being
transmitted.
Which of the following alternatives would be more effective in increasing the power
which could be transmitted

Increase the initial tension in the belt by 10%

Increase the coefficient of friction by 10% by the application of a suitable
dressing onto the belt.

Click to view solution

Example 6

A leather belt in. thick connects two pulleys of 3 ft. 2 in. and 1 ft. 9 in. diameters,
carried on parallel shafts at 11 ft. 6 in. centres; the speed of the larger pulley is 240 r.p.m..
The coefficient of friction is 0.25 and the maximum permissible load on the belt is 260 lb.
Find the maximum horse-power and the necessary initial tension.
Plot on a base of initial mean tension, curves showing the horse-power which can be
transmitted

Maximum loading but neglecting the possibility of slip.

Limitations due to slip but neglecting the possibility of overloading the belt.

Hence determine the permissible range of initial tension if

(66)
is to be transmitted. (U.L.)
Click to view solution
Example 7

A small pulley of radius on a line shaft drives a large pulley of radius on a machine
vertically below it, the centre distance being a distance d.
Show that slipping will be equally likely to occur at either pulley, if the tension in the belt
where it runs over the larger pulley is given by -

(81)
Where w is the weigth of a unit length of belt and
Click here to expand this hidden section
Example 8

(U.L.)

A leather belt transmits 25 h.p. from a pulley 3 ft. in diameter which runs at 300
r.p.m.;
the density of the belt is 0.035 lb/cu.in. and the maximum
stress is not to exceed 350 lb/sq.in.
In the belt is in. thick, find the least possible width required.
Click to view solution
Example 9

An open belt drive connects two pulleys of 48 in. and 20 in.diameters, on parallel shafts
12 ft. apart. The belt weighs 0.6 lb/ft length and the maximum tension in it is not to
exceed 4r500 lb. The coefficient of friction is 0.3.
The 48 in pulley, which is the driver, runs at 200 r.p.m.. Due to belt slip on one of the
pulleys, the velocity of the driven shaft is only 450 r.p.m.. Calculate the torque on each of
the two shafts, the horse-power transmitted and the horsepower lost in friction.
What is the efficiency of the drive ? (U.L.)
Click to view solution
Example 10

A pulley of 12 in. diameter running at 1,500 r.p.m. transmits 20 h.p. to an elastic belt
driving a similar pulley. Find the required width of belt and the uniform tension when
stationary, if the maximum tension under load is 100 lb./in.width. It may be assumed that
the sum of the tensions in the two sides remains constant,
and the weight of
the belt is 0.12 lb./in. width per foot length.
If the belt is 0.2 in. thick and E = 35,000 lb./sq.in., find also the frictional loss of speed of
the driven pulley.

Example 11

A rope drive transmits 800 h.p. from a pulley of effective diameter 12.5 ft., which runs at
a speed of 90 r.p.m. The angle of lap is
, the groove angle
, the coefficient of
friction is 0.28, the weight of the rope 0.9 lb./ft. and the allowable tension in the rope is
500 lb.
Find the smallest number of ropes that will be required.

Example 12

Derive the expression:-

(126)

Which connects the pulls on the two sides of a belt subjected to centripetal action,
being the total pulls.
, has a cross-section of 1 sq.in. and runs in a groove of
A V-belt having a lap of
included angle
. The density of the belt is 0.05 lb./cu.in. and the maximum
stress is limited to 600 lb./sq.in, the coefficient of friction being 0.15.
Find the maximum horse-power that can be transmitted if the wheel has a mean diameter
of 12 in. and runs at 1000 r.p.m. (U.L.)

Example 13

In a belt drive the radius of the driving pulley is r ft., the angle of lap of the belt is , the
coefficient of friction between the belt and the pulley is and the weight of the belt is

lb.per foot length.

The drive is initially stationary and a torque is then applied to the driving pulley giving it an
angular acceleration os
. If the applied torque is such that slipping is about to
commence when the belt speed has reached v ft./sec., determine the difference between the tight
side tension and the slack-side tension in terms of
.

From this relationship discuss the extent to which the difference of the tensions when slipping is
about to commence is affected by the acceleration of the belt as compared to the speed of the belt
(U.L.)

Example 14

In the band-and block brake shown in the diagram, the band is lined with 12 blocks each
of which subtends an angle of
at the centre of the wheel. If, when the brake is in
action, the greatest and least tensions in the brake strap ate P and Q show that :-

(147)
Where is the coefficient of friction for the blocks.
With the lever arrangement illustrated, find the least force required at A for the brake to
absorb 300 h.p. at 240 r.p.m. Take as 0.4 (U.L.)

Example 15

The diagram shows a brake drum of 11 in. in diameter, acted on by two brake shoes
which are mounted on a pin A and which are pushed apart by two hydraulically pistons at
B each of which exerts a force of P lb. on the shoe with which it makes contact. The
brake lining extends
above and
below the horizontal centre line. The coefficient is
0.2. The radial pressure between the lining and the drum is proportional to the rate of
wear of the lining.

Find graphically or other wise, the value of P which will produce a braking torque of 100
lb. ft. (U.L.)